Veterans

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3822: An Act relative to enhancing public service pension equity for veterans

HD 2033 adds pension benefits for veteran public employees in Massachusetts. It requires retirement systems to count one additional year toward a veteran's age (for pension calculations) and two additional years if they have a 10%+ service-connected disability rating from the VA. This directly affects current and retired state/local government workers who served honorably in the U.S. military. The bill changes how retirement benefits are calculated by adjusting age inputs, applying to all defined public retirement systems under state law.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly enhances veterans' public service pension equity, advancing benefits through pension equity provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3838: An Act to support veteran owned businesses

HD 451 waives the business formation fee and annual report filing fee for veteran-owned businesses in Massachusetts. To qualify, veterans must provide acceptable proof of their veteran status to the Secretary of State. The bill applies to businesses where at least one owner is a veteran as defined by state law. This policy change directly reduces two specific administrative costs for veterans starting or maintaining a business in the state.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill reduces filing fees for veteran-owned businesses, directly advancing veteran entrepreneurship and business ownership as a form of veteran benefit support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3875: An Act relative to the establishment of a veterans research trust fund

This bill establishes a dedicated Veterans Research Trust Fund to support research on veterans' issues. The fund will be financed by specific sources: money from Chapter 94G, direct appropriations from the legislature, donations, and interest earnings. The commission managing the fund must use its resources for veterans' research and cover its own operational costs, which cannot exceed 10% of the total funds spent each year. Unspent funds will not revert to the general state budget.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes veterans research trust fund, directly funding research to improve veteran services and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3884: An Act relative to emergency medical transportation provided to veterans

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Veteran Services to consider fully reimbursing veterans with a 100% disability rating for emergency medical transportation costs to hospitals (both local and VA facilities). It directly affects veterans who have been officially rated at 100% disability by the VA. To qualify, veterans must provide proof of their disability rating within a reasonable timeframe, considering their medical condition. The bill does not mandate automatic reimbursement but directs the department to evaluate such requests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides emergency medical transportation for veterans, improving access to emergency healthcare services. Explicitly addresses healthcare service provision.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates emergency medical transportation for veterans, directly enhancing healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3852: An Act relative to veteran health, opportunity, notification, observance and respect

This bill requires Massachusetts health officials to create educational materials about burn pit health effects and VA registry enrollment for veterans. It mandates a confidential database tracking veterans exposed to burn pits during specific deployments (like Iraq/Afghanistan operations), with strict privacy protections. The state must distribute informational pamphlets by 2026 and coordinate outreach to veterans through veterans' services offices and National Guard channels. The bill also directs state agencies to advocate for VA registry improvements, including paper registration and family access for deceased veterans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly addresses 'veteran health' as a core topic, aiming to improve healthcare services and respect for veterans, aligning with healthcare advancement indicators.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill title explicitly addresses veteran health, opportunity, observance, and respect, aligning with support indicators for benefits, healthcare, and recognition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3881: An Act increasing access to medical care for veterans

This bill (HD 205) requires Massachusetts public transportation systems (commuter rail, subway, bus, shuttle, and boat) to provide free rides to veterans traveling to or from Veterans Administration hospitals for medical care. It applies only to veterans certified by the U.S. Department of Defense who present proof of a VA medical appointment, such as a notice from the VA showing their name, date, and location of the appointment. The law aims to reduce transportation barriers for veterans seeking medical care at VA facilities within Massachusetts, without altering VA healthcare services or eligibility.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides free transit for veterans to access medical care, directly improving healthcare access per summary.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly increases veterans' access to medical care via free transit services, directly improving healthcare access as stated in title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3868: An Act exempting veterans disability payments as income when they are applying for other Commonwealth services.

This bill (HD 686) changes how the state calculates income for veterans applying for certain Commonwealth services. It specifically excludes veterans' disability benefit payments from being counted as income when determining eligibility for state programs like housing assistance, food aid, or other support services. The key provision, found in Section 1, amends existing law to ensure these benefits do not reduce a veteran's access to other state services they qualify for based on income. This directly affects veterans receiving disability payments who apply for additional state assistance programs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans' disability payments from income calculations, expanding eligibility for state services without reducing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 20, 2026

HD 4953: An Act relative to establishing the temporary emergency veterans’ assistance program

By Representatives Badger of Plymouth and LaNatra of Kingston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michelle L. Badger for legislation to establish the temporary emergency veterans’ assistance program. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a temporary emergency veterans' assistance program, directly funding support services for veterans as described in its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 11, 2025

H 1487: An Act relative to low-income housing eligibility for disabled veterans

This bill changes how income is calculated for disabled veterans seeking public housing. It directs housing authorities to exclude veterans' U.S. disability benefits (from 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.) when determining eligibility for low-income housing programs. As a result, disabled veterans receiving these federal benefits will have a lower calculated income, making them more likely to qualify for housing assistance they might otherwise be denied. The policy directly affects disabled veterans applying for publicly assisted housing in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands low-income housing eligibility specifically for disabled veterans, directly advancing affordable housing access for a vulnerable group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expands low-income housing eligibility for disabled veterans, directly advancing their access to housing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 22, 2026

H 3835: An Act honoring as veterans certain persons who served in the National Guard and Reserves

This bill defines "reserve veteran" for Massachusetts as National Guard or Reserve members with 20+ years of service under federal law and an honorable discharge. It requires the state to honor and recognize these individuals as veterans through outreach programs and inclusion in veteran events. Crucially, it clarifies that this recognition does not make reserve veterans eligible for state benefits solely based on this status. The bill focuses on ceremonial recognition, not changes to benefit eligibility.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes reserve veterans as veterans, expanding eligibility for benefits and state-level recognition under Massachusetts law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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